Organic Chemistry

Study of carbon-containing compounds and their reactions.

Basic Concepts

Types of Organic Reactions

How Do Organic Molecules Change?

Organic chemistry is full of reactions! These reactions are grouped by how molecules change and what happens to their bonds.

Main Types of Reactions

  • Addition: Atoms are added to double or triple bonds.
  • Substitution: One atom or group swaps places with another.
  • Elimination: Atoms are removed, often forming double bonds.
  • Rearrangement: The structure of the molecule changes, creating a new layout.

Reaction Mechanisms

Understanding how reactions happen involves looking at the step-by-step movement of electrons, often shown with curly arrows.

Why Reactions Matter

Reactions let us build new molecules (like medicines or plastics) and understand processes in living things.

Real World Connections

The polymerization reaction turns ethene into plastic bags, and fermentation turns sugars into ethanol.

Examples

  • Hydrogenation adds hydrogen to vegetable oils in margarine production.

  • Substitution of a chlorine atom with a hydroxyl group in making alcohols.

In a Nutshell

Organic reactions transform molecules in predictable ways—like adding, swapping, or removing groups.